Crestwood junior libero Zoe Babnik has emerged as a leader for the Red Devils.
Tom Nader/Portage Sports

By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Volleyball is a sport that frequently introduces chaos all while riding the undulating peaks and valleys of emotions.

It is easy to get pulled in by the undertow, but the special players recognize it all and still move forward unhinged.

Like Crestwood junior libero Zoe Babnik.

Longtime Red Devils head coach Wanda Hoffman, who is in her 30th year leading the program, certainly knows how to identify a player’s strengths.

And one of Babnik’s is her ability to stay “smooth and level headed” regardless of the situation, according to Hoffman.

“Zoe has emerged as one of our leaders this year and she does it by leading by example, said Hoffman, who has 477 career wins. “She is someone that can be quiet and shy, but then she flashes that big beautiful smile and her personality is right there.”

And there has been plenty to smile ab out for Babnik and her Red Devils during the early portion of the 2022 season.

Crestwood has started league play at 3-1 inside the Chagrin Valley Conference and have worked together to get there.

“I absolutely love our team,” Babnik said. “We all grew up playing together and there is a level of trust that our team has built with each other. It has made playing together a lot of fun and a lot easier.

Crestwood junior Zoe Babnik has been part of building a strong team chemistry this season for the Red Devils.
Tom Nader/Portage Sports

“We are all friends, we are all close and we all support each other. We are genuinely happy for each other,” added Babnik, who also referenced the tremendous support she has received along the way from her parents Craig and Shannon Babnik.

It is part of an uplifting team culture that has allowed Crestwood to navigate through the game’s valleys with a calming confidence.

Babnik’s role in the process was actually undetermined at the start of the season.

Crestwood graduated seven seniors from the 2021 team, with three of those being back-row players and a rotation at libero.

It left an opening that Babnik worked toward then seized by some standout performances in early season games.

Despite the spotlight efforts, Babnik never assumed that she had found a permanent role for the Devils.

“Zoe is so humble and so modest. She had a phenomenal game early in the season. Just played really, really well, but when we showed up for the next game, she came to the school with the same jersey on as everyone else. She did not make any assumption, and I admire that. The truth is, she has worked very hard and impressed to earn her position, so I eventually had to tell her, ‘Unless I tell you differently, you are our libero’,” Hoffman said.

Babnik, who first started playing volleyball when she was 10, gained confidence and strengthened her ability by playing a full JV season last year instead of receiving partial minutes on varsity.

“I really think that Zoe having the opportunity to be the full-time JV libero last year as a sophomore gave her more time to develop into the position,” Hoffman said. “She got a lot of playing time, which is huge for development. I think she feels comfortable out there. You can see that she has grown as a player and with her maturity.

“I think, overall, that is how our team has been,” Hoffman added. “It is a great team and they work well together. They let mistakes go.”

And for Babnik, balancing the wave of emotions has become a bit of an art form, just like her role as a defensive specialist.